Centre approves Rs 105 crore compensatory afforestation plan for J&K
Nasir Azam
Srinagar, June 11: The Centre has approved Rs 105 crore plan for compensatory afforestation, forest fire prevention and control and monitoring and evaluation in Jammu and Kashmir for 2020-21. This is the first time when J&K's annual plan of operations under CAMPA has been approved by the Government of India.
In a letter, a copy of which is in our possession, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has communicated to J&K government that National Authority for Compensation Afforestation and Management Plan Authority(CAMPA) has approved Rs 105.76 crore during the current financial year for the newly carved out Union Territory. A major share Rs 81.99 crore has been set aside for plantation, fencing, sowing, dibbling, pasture development and other similar activities.
The plan was approved by the steering committee of J&K State Authority in its meeting held on 20-02-2020. Subsequently, the proposal was sent to National Authority, MOEF &CC for approval of its executive committee on 28-02-2020.
With coming into effect of J&K Re-organisation Act -2019, the J&K Forest Conservation Act and J&K Compensatory Afforestation Fund(CAF) Rules 2018 were replaced respectively Central CAF Act -2016 and CAF Rules -2018.
Under the new legal framework, the Annual Plan of Operations(APOs) under CAMPA are required to be submitted to National Authority for approval.
Before October 31, 2019, J&K government did not require approval of Centre and its own steering committee headed by Chief Secretary was the final authority to give nod to such proposal—(KNO)